CASE III NEOVASCULAR GLAUCOMA

Patient History 68 year old white female. Ocular History: CRAO, Medical history: Diabetes Renal Problems.

Recent Exam Findings July 2004 VA- 20/25, OU. Cup-to-disc;.4/.4,OU. July 2005 VA- 20/25, OD, 20/60, OS. Cup-to-disc;.6/.6, OD..9/.9, OS.

Present Exam Findings VA- OD- 20/25 OS- NLP PERRL + APD, OS. TA- 16, OD 67, OS

Observations, OS

Neovascular Glaucoma Elevation of IOP. Painful red eye. Closure of anterior chamber angle from fibrovascular membrane formation.

Causes Central retinal artery occlusion % of NVG cases. Diabetic retinopathy. Carotid artery occlusive disease. Chronic retinal detachments Usually occurs within 90 days of antecedent vascular occlusion.

Signs/Symptoms Acute onset of redness, pain, and blurred vision. Circumcilliary injection. Corneal edema. Deep anterior chamber with moderate flare. NVI/NVA.

Pathophysiology Stimulus= Lack of Oxygen. Hypoxic retinal tissue results in the release of vasoproliferative factors, i.e. VEGF. VEGF acts upon endothelial cells of viable capillaries to stimulate the formation of a new vessels. Once released, the angiogenic factors diffuse through the vitreous and posterior chamber into the aqueous and the anterior segment.

Pathophysiology, II Vasogenic factors interact with vascular structures where the greatest aqueous- tissue contact occurs. The result is new vessel growth at the pupillary border and iris surface and over the iris angle. Ultimately leading to formation of fibrovascular membranes.

Pathophysiology, III The neovascularization, along with its fibrovascular support membrane, acts to both physically block the angle and bridge the angle The vessels pull the iris and cornea into apposition, thus blocking the trabecular meshwork.

Stage I, Early Small, dilated capillaries at pupillary margin. Vessel arborization onto iris near pupil. Normal IOP.

Stage II, Mid-Phase Involvement of anterior chamber angle. Radial vessel progression. Hyphema. Increase in IOP.

Stage III, Late Contraction of the fibrovascular membrane. 360 o angle closure. Ectropion uvea. Significant anterior chamber reaction.

Management Medically treating neovascular glaucoma is like arranging deck chairs on the Titanic. Medical consult to rule out systemic disease. Duplex/Doppler scans to r/o carotid occlusive disease.

Medical Management If there is any degree of inflammation and ocular pain, prescribe a topical cycloplegic such as atropine 1% b.i.d. as well as a topical steroid such as Pred Forte.

IOP Control Medical therapy with topical ß-adrenergic antagonists, a-2 agonists, and topical or oral carbonic inhibitors lower IOP. Aqueous suppressants may be used in order to temporarily reduce IOP. However, chronic medical therapy is not indicated for neovascular glaucoma. Aqueous suppressants will temporize IOP and angle closure will continue.

Medical Management, II Ultimate management of NVG involves eradication of the vessels with PRP or cryo. Goal: destroy ischemic retina, minimize oxygen demand of the eye, and reduce the amount of VEGF being released. If a significant amount of the angle is in permanent synechial closure, filtering surgery must then be employed.

However… What if the patient is, like ours, blind? The primary goal of treatment in this stage is pain control. For blind, painful eyes with uncontrollable IOP, options include continued medical therapy, cyclodestruction, retro bulbar alcohol injection, or enucleation.

But… Our patient was also not in pain. Plan of action: Retinal consult. Possible PRP to save cornea from decompensation.

Future Possibilities Anti-VEGF therapy. VEGF appears to produce its effect partly by being proinflammatory, leading to leukocyte adhesion and inflammation. VEGF can induce injury to the endothelium, cause fenestrations in endothelial cells, and cause breakdown of tight junctions.

Pointers… Retinal artery occlusions develop NVG in only 17 percent of cases and typically within four weeks post-occlusion. Miotics are contraindicated in any case where there is active inflammation. Prostaglandin analogs should likewise be avoided.